Philippine Government, National Democratic Front start peace talks

A supporter of the communist National Democratic Front of the Philippines raises his clenched fist as protesters call for the resumption of peace talks between the government and the Maoist-led rebels on June 16. (Source: Reuters)

Hanoi (VNA) – The Philippine Government and the National Democratic Front (NDF) opened peace talks in Oslo, Norway, on August 22 in an effort to end nearly five decades of conflict.

Norwegian Foreign Minister Boerge Brende said there now seemed to be an historic momentum building to put an end to the conflict that has lasted for far too long and killed more than 40,000 people.

The talks will focus on the release of prisoners, a temporary ceasefire and how to boost the negotiation progress.

Talks brokered by Norway between the government and the front, with Norway playing the intermediary role, stalled in 2012 over the government's refusal to free communist leaders who had been in jail for decades.

Both sides declared a truce at the weekend to pave the way for the week-long talks in Oslo. Last week, Manila also freed 17 captured communist guerrilla leaders in the Philippines so they could attend the talks in Norway.-VNA